“Chapter 76”

"Chapter 76"

"After resolving the matter, Wuhai raised a practical issue, 'Our comfort agents are now so in demand they’re hard to come by, making us the top sellers in the black market. However, we’ve never had an official name for it, leading to some selling inferior products under our name. These instances are few, but as our fame grows, similar issues will inevitably arise and could tarnish our original product’s reputation. So, what do you think about giving our comfort agent an official name?'"

"A name?"

"Queqiu had never thought about this."

"In fact, his initial intention to sell the comfort agents, including his main goal now, was solely to earn empire coins to exchange for nutrient solutions and absorb more spirit energy. After partnering with the reliable Wuhai, Queqiu left everything to him and became a hands-off manager."

"It wasn’t until Wuhai brought it up that he realized something was indeed missing."

"Queqiu didn’t ponder long. After a brief thought, he suggested a name, 'Let's call it ‘Canary.’ The comfort agent was originally pure gold in color, just like a canary.'"

"As soon as he finished, Wuhai earnestly praised, 'That sounds great! I’ll get someone to design a logo and print it on the bottles as a mark of authenticity.'"

Wuhai simply thought the 'Canary' Queqiu mentioned referred to the beautiful bird known as the canary. He associated it with Queqiu's slender figure, delicate beauty, and an especially fragile temperament, which perfectly matched his impression of a canary.

Queqiu knew Wuhai’s perception of 'Canary' was different from his own, but he didn’t elaborate, simply nodding, "I leave the management of the comfort agent entirely to you and trust you'll handle it well. Additionally, by today, someone should deliver ten thousand bottles of high-grade nutrient solution to this warehouse. Make sure to keep an eye on it."

Wuhai's eyes widened in surprise, "Ten thousand bottles of high-grade nutrient solution?"

That's enough for a well-off family of three for nearly two years. What would such a small Omega do with so much nutrient solution?

Queqiu hummed in affirmation, "These nutrient solutions, I want you to find a way to transport them to a slum outside the main city area, called Duocao Street. Their street leader is named Yang Shu, often riding an outdated desert airship."

"Apart from this batch, another twenty thousand bottles of the same nutrient solution will also be delivered later. Keep a close watch on them."

Already puzzled, Wuhai was now completely lost, "Why are you sending such a large amount of supplies to a slum?"

While Queqiu spoke casually, Wuhai couldn’t help but respect him even more after hearing his intentions.

"When I first arrived on Dark Star, I was like a newborn baby, clueless about everything. The people in this slum took care of me for a while. Living on Dark Star, you must understand the harsh conditions of the slums. They struggle even with basic survival. So, I hope you can help me deliver these supplies to Duocao Street."

Learning the whole story, Wu Hai's respect for Queqiu deepened: he saw him as a grateful Omega who remembered kindnesses.

Wu Hai immediately assured with a pat on his chest, "Rest assured, I'll make sure everything is delivered without fail."

Queqiu patted Wu Hai's shoulder, always trusting this honest middle-aged Alpha.

"I'm heading back to the Dark Star military academy now. Take good care of the comfort remedy business."

Wu Hai nodded seriously, watching the little Omega leave.

After settling the black market affairs, Queqiu, with his suddenly enriched account, planned to buy high-grade nutrient fluid to absorb spiritual energy and replenish his depleted reserves.

But halfway there, he sensed something amiss.

Queqiu slowed down, casting a glance over his shoulder, spotting several dark figures ducking into the crowd; when he looked again, amidst the bustling traffic and people, there was no sign of them.

His always reliable intuition told him someone was following him, and probably not just one or two people.

He quickened his pace, feeling a sense of urgency.

Seeing Queqiu continue walking, the pursuers quickly located each other in the crowd and, exchanging glances, hastened their pursuit.

After several twists and turns through alleyways, the pursuers converged in a broad lane, only to find their quarry had vanished.

"Where is he?!"

"A small Omega, but quite a runner."

"This alley is a dead end; he must be ahead. Keep going!"

As they prepared to move forward, a golden figure leaped down in front of them. Standing straight, it was the very person they had been tracking.

"Looking for me?" Queqiu's gaze swept coldly over them, sizing up the black-clothed men who had followed him. They were identical to the attackers he had encountered while saving Bai Tianxing, wearing the same eerie, faceless white masks.

Queqiu's eyes darkened: it seemed to be the same group, the infamous black-clothed Alphas known for targeting Omegas.

He hadn't expected his "luck" to be so consistent, encountering members of this organization twice on his visits to Dark Star.

The men originally thought Queqiu would panic and flee upon discovering them, just like the previous Omega, but they never expected him to wait in the alley, confronting them directly.

But since that was the case...

The black-clothed Alphas exchanged glances. Despite their expressionless white masks, there was an unmistakable, eerie aura about them.

Then, they simultaneously turned their attention to Queqiu, advancing towards him step by step.

"Quite perceptive, aren't you? But I wonder about your strength."

"Hmph, such a delicate little Omega, out here all alone without protection. Adorably naive."

"Like a little lamb standing obediently still, we promise not to hurt you too much."

Queqiu slightly furrowed his brows, "You talk too much."

"Last time, you let that foolish Bai Tianxing Omega go. This time, you've walked right into our hands."

The response, however, didn't come from the five or six black-clothed Alphas in front of him, but from behind—

Queqiu slightly turned, frowning as he looked towards the newcomer.

It was the same Alpha he had encountered while saving Bai Tianxing.

"Happy, are we? We meet again."

Queqiu was caught between a rock and a hard place, surrounded by enemies.

He unconsciously clenched his fist.

This time was different from the last. He was not fighting alone. Having overexerted his spiritual power and slightly injured from casting a forbidden spell, he needed to end the battle quickly if he wanted to escape unscathed.

Or maybe...

Queqiu's hand moved to the alarm device hanging around his neck.

The faceless mask behind him seemed to guess his intentions, a playful smile forming beneath the mask.

"Here, Black A has electromagnetic abilities that can disrupt your distress signal. For at least an hour, your alarm will just be a pretty decoration."

As he spoke, Queqiu could clearly see blue electricity crackling around the wrist of a black Alpha in front of him.

His heart sank, realizing the battle was inevitable.

"Then come at me together, I'm in a hurry," Queqiu said indifferently.

The black Alpha with electromagnetic abilities snorted disdainfully, "Arrogant."

"Heh, this is the chief of the military academy's combat department," the faceless mask chuckled softly, "Don't underestimate him."

"All together, attack!"

The black Alpha gave the order, and the others surrounding Queqiu activated their abilities, unleashing a barrage of colorful elemental powers that dazzled and overwhelmed the senses.

A barrage of attacks rained down on Queqiu, dense and relentless. Anyone else would have likely panicked by now.

Queqiu, composed and unflustered, summoned his magic machinery. Countless metallic particles, reflecting a chilly silver light under the scorching sun of Dark Star, formed a massive umbrella, shielding him just before the attacks could land.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The black Alphas' powers furiously struck the mechanical umbrella, spinning and pressing, trying to break through the defense, sparks flying from the collisions.

But these attacks only maintained their full force for a few seconds before faltering, unable to penetrate the mechanical umbrella's defense.

Queqiu had no time to relax as a silent and stealthy attack arrived from behind.

The faceless figure, having already witnessed Queqiu's formidable abilities, joined the black Alphas in their assault.

Or rather, struck a sneaky blow from behind.

The white mask outlined a sinister upward curve at the corners, with crimson light flickering in its black, hollow eyes.

Reaching towards Queqiu's exposed back, the figure's pale fingers slowly converged, creating a disorienting effect as if controlling Queqiu's movements.

"Space—"

"Slice."

The alleyway's air circulation abruptly halted—

But in the next moment, it surged again. The invisible became visible under extreme spatial compression, forming visible blades of wind, even dazzling with bright flashes of sword light.

At the crucial moment, Queqiu's instincts, or perhaps his brief precognitive ability, saved him.

Before the inescapable net of air pressure slashes reached him, Queqiu decisively retracted his magic machinery umbrella and leaped into the air to evade.

The blade-sharp currents barely missed Queqiu’s hair, slicing a few golden strands into countless pieces that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

The combined attacks of the faceless mask and the black Alphas collided, unleashing a massive burst of energy. The resulting shockwave pushed everyone present several meters back.

Landing with a lowered center of gravity for cushioning, Queqiu raised a hand to shield his face, but the powerful energy wave still tousled his hair and lifted his bangs, revealing his smooth, pale forehead.

The fleeting look was strikingly different from his usual delicate and cute appearance, instead carrying a mature, cold edge.

During a rare moment of respite, he glanced back at where he had just been, now a huge crater formed by the violent explosion of colliding energies.

The steel walls on either side bore marks of sharp cuts, the deepest being a meter long and as thick as an adult Alpha's fist.

If Queqiu hadn't made the right decision in a split second and evaded agilely, even he might have faced unimaginable consequences.

After the failed ambush, the faceless mask seemed unfazed, even leisurely chatting with Queqiu.

"You managed to dodge that? An impressive Omega, indeed."

Queqiu's eyes were cold, and he scoffed, "Quite a despicable tactic."

"Despicable, but evidently effective, isn't it?" the faceless mask responded with a slight smile.

After the shockwave subsided, the group of five or six black Alphas also regained their senses—

Their leader was a top-tier combat Alpha at the S-level pinnacle. Not just in Dark Star, but across the entire empire, there were very few who could confront him head-on!

Moreover, Queqiu, this Omega, was not only facing a top-tier S-level combat Alpha but also several A-level combat Alphas!

Even though there was a vast gap between A-level and S-level, the combined assault of six A-level Alphas was not something ordinary individuals could withstand.

Even under their coordinated assault, this seemingly delicate and frail Omega didn't lose ground at all!

The black Alphas were internally shocked—was this really the strength of an Omega?

Even the prepared faceless mask was surprised by Queqiu's performance: if the person facing them wasn't an Omega but a combat Alpha, to fight so effortlessly against many high-level Alphas, the opponent's genetic level would have to be at least equal to his own.

Omegas, in terms of physical strength and combat genetics, are objectively inferior compared to Alphas, who bear the responsibility of crushing the insect race and protecting their homes.

But clearly, Queqiu was an exception.

The faceless mask had to reassess Queqiu.

Despite maintaining a confident facade, he knew in his heart that this seemingly fragile Omega might not be easy to handle.

In fact... they might not even gain the upper hand.

After a brief exchange, Queqiu had a rough estimate of these black Alphas' abilities.

Six A-level, one S-level.

He sneered internally, amused at how highly they regarded him.

"Since you've all attacked me, I guess I can ask what your goal is," Queqiu said calmly.

The faceless mask replied with a smile, "That's a secret you'll soon find out."

Queqiu frowned, "Playing mysterious, aren't you?"

"Not really," the figure raised a finger and shook it, "I assure you, I'll reveal this secret once our goal is achieved."

Queqiu didn't care for more pointless conversation.

With a scoff, he produced a compact pulse weapon in his hand.

Queqiu knew that constant defense would eventually lead to mistakes. He preferred taking the offensive.

Facing their numerical advantage, he decided to first eliminate the A-level black Alphas, effectively dismantling their overwhelming numbers.

Queqiu spun around, unleashing a barrage of pulse lasers. The six A-level black Alphas dodged just in time, narrowly missing their hair and leaving a faint smell of singed feathers. But before they could catch a breath, the next wave of attacks was already upon them.

Queqiu deployed a cold weapon, a small pulse dagger that instantly transformed into a silver whip crackling with electricity.

The whip, charged with electric currents, whipped through the air with a sharp hiss, weaving agilely like a silver serpent among the black Alphas. They dodged awkwardly, all wary of the lethal whip that could take half a life with a single strike.

In their evasion, one Alpha was slightly slower, giving Queqiu the chance to lash fiercely, striking the shoulder and tearing flesh.

Human bodies conduct electricity. Once one black Alpha was hit, the rest were also convulsed by the high-voltage current, their bodies twitching and skin charring, collapsing stiffly backward—

They became true black Alphas.

Queqiu leaped over the unconscious, frothing black Alphas, his movements as light and swift as a swallow darting through a thunderstorm.

Amidst the electric whip, he maneuvered gracefully, his actions resembling a fluid dance. His movements were not only aggressive but also stunningly invasive.

Queqiu lashed out his whip towards the faceless mask, aiming to strike with a powerful current. However, the S-level Alpha, unfazed, raised his hand to summon a spatial shield. The space in front of him twisted rapidly, swallowing the crackling electric currents in a silent black hole.

As the black hole vanished, Queqiu appeared unexpectedly before the faceless mask.

The whip disintegrated into tiny, aesthetically floating silver metallic particles, creating a beautiful scene in the air.

But in the next instant, the serene image shattered as Queqiu delivered a powerful sweeping kick through the air towards the faceless mask. Caught off-guard, the latter raised his hand to block the forceful kick.

"Even though Queqiu was almost half the size of his opponent, his strength was not inferior, even causing the arm of the faceless mask to ache slightly."

"After blocking an attack, Queqiu twisted his waist and delivered another leg whip, hitting the shoulder of the faceless mask as he dodged. Seizing the opportunity, he drove several heavy kicks with his military boots into the opponent’s chest, forcing him to stagger back several steps."

"'Cough cough, such a small Omega, yet so strong,' the faceless mask said, steadying himself and coughing violently while holding his chest."

"Queqiu landed lightly on the ground and advanced step by step towards him. Frowning at the comment, he responded coldly, 'Is running your mouth all you’re good at?'"

"The silver whip disassembled and reformed, ultimately transforming into a dagger pressed against the throat of the faceless mask."

"The blade's silver reflection mirrored Queqiu’s face, slightly panting from the intense battle, his cheeks faintly flushed from the vigorous activity. In such a tense and breathless scene, one might be led to an endless flight of fancy."

"Yet, despite his stunning beauty, Queqiu’s serious expression, tightly pressed thin lips, and his cool gaze made him appear a hundred times sharper than the gleaming silver dagger."

"He himself was more aggressive than any blade."

"Queqiu parted his lips slightly, uttering slowly and deliberately, 'You’ve lost.'"

"'Hehe, you fell for it!'"

"Faced with the deadly threat at his throat, the faceless mask began to laugh, increasingly manic."

"Queqiu’s expression shifted, instantly realizing something was amiss."

"He quickly withdrew the dagger, intending to disengage, but the faceless mask grabbed the sharp blade, allowing it to slice through his flesh, blood dripping steadily from his palm."

He seemed impervious to pain, closing his hand slowly as he had done during his sneak attack on Queqiu—

"Space—"

"Freeze."

One moment, the flow and trajectory of the wind could be felt with every breath; the next, everything seemed to stand still.

The chirping sparrows on the electric poles, the fluffy cotton candy-like clouds overhead, the strands of hair fluttering in the wind, the industrious ants on the ground... Everything froze in an instant, including the flow of time itself.

Every element within this space was caught in absolute stasis, like a lifeless pond.

Queqiu, too, was immobilized, unable to move.

The white mask bore a fixed expression, seemingly smiling in satisfaction. Although it should reveal nothing, Queqiu felt as if he could see the real face hidden beneath the mask, each muscle movement discernible.

Magic mechanics were useless now; he couldn’t activate them.

Queqiu's movements were completely restricted. He couldn't attack, dodge, or even lift a finger or blink.

Yet Queqiu continued to question the faceless mask with his eyes.

"In fact, my spatial ability isn't the strongest in terms of combat."

He looked at the immobile Queqiu as if admiring a piece of art, his eyes contentedly narrowed.

After a deliberate pause, he continued, "But, I can restrict anyone's movements."

Queqiu didn't believe this ability was without a solution.

The faceless mask, guessing his thoughts, chuckled, "Indeed, my spatial freeze requires a significant amount of mental power. I can use it only once a day, and it has a time limit."

Continuing, he changed his tone, "Even if I can only control you for half a minute, what then? Even a powerful Omega like you, in these utterly still thirty seconds, are just a loser under my control, aren't you?"

Half a minute?

"In these thirty seconds, you can't harm me." Queqiu stared at the faceless mask.

The figure smiled, reaching into his pocket as Queqiu’s pupils dilated, and pulled out a round object.

It was...

The silver cocoon formed by Morfa during its cocooning phase.

"But you see, my goal was never to harm you—"

It seemed he was indeed fulfilling his earlier promise to reveal the "secret" to Queqiu.

Give it back to me!

Queqiu had never felt as angry as he did now.

By this moment, even without the faceless mask saying anything, how could he not realize the true intention behind their actions!

"You are important, but until the time comes, you remain safe."

A foreboding, cryptic spoiler, as if predicting the future.

The faceless mask put away the silver cocoon and gradually receded from Queqiu's line of sight.

In the end, only a sentence lingered in his ears, echoing like a curse from a demon.

"For now, General Duan Chensen is their real target to destroy."

Thirty seconds.

Queqiu was immobilized in place, for a mere half-minute, yet forced to watch his carefully guarded silver cocoon being taken by the faceless mask.

And he could do nothing, just watching helplessly.

Author's note:

Canary, the goldfinch.

It was the Canary Rose that had brought them hope.